Name: JAY MARTINEZ
Candidate for: Sacramento Unified School District Board, Area 4
Occupation: Small business owner
List the top three issues you plan to address along with possible solutions.
Special education: SCUSD has had ongoing issues with failing its special education population and Black population in special education since 2017, unfortunately. Parents of the district of special-needs students initially held specific sessions back then to try and address these inequalities of students not getting the proper education they deserve, and for not receiving attention for [individualized education] plans for each individual student. Nothing was done.
Regarding Black special education students in the district, I believe that the Black Parallel School Board filing a suit against SCUSD was the last thing they wanted to do, but was a necessary action due to the continued failures in special education. The BPSB to me seems to take this issue very seriously, and I think that the prescription that they have can largely work to be followed in order to finally get Black special education students – and all special education students – to succeed.
What needs to be done to bring SCUSD into compliance with state special education law and to ensure that children with disabilities receive an appropriate education is to follow the framework of the BPSB, in conjunction with a new special subcommittee to bring SCUSD into compliance.
I will motion to launch a special education advisory committee – for all students – to ensure that this problem is resolved and new practices are put into place. I will volunteer and now pledge to be a part of this committee, and will also take it a step further in inviting special education parents, a representative from the [Sacramento County] Grand Jury, and perhaps a member from the state Legislature or a Department of Education staffer who can help be a part of the solution. Since I currently serve on an SCUSD committee, I will have no issue getting to work on this day one.
Addressing the opportunity gap: In 2023, SCUSD students, according to the California Department of Education, are seeing only approximately 30% of students succeed in math and 65% of students in English. While English/language arts is not as bad as math, I think that these two metrics need much more attention, and they must be improved.
I think that improving these metrics is how we help close the achievement gap in the district. I realize that this is not an easy task – this has been an issue for the district since I was a student in the district at least 20 years ago.
However, to combat this issue head-on, I would like to work with schools in Area 4 – and other schools or administrators – in finding additional funding and grants for after-school tutoring. I will proactively call on our state and federal legislators to see what innovative steps can be taken to procure additional funds to make this a reality. I feel that, if taken advantage of and used on a consistent basis, tutoring can turn the tide in one’s academics substantially, especially in math and English.
After speaking to parents and teachers in the district, they feel more reading practice, and subsequent confidence acquired therein, can cross over into reading and doing better in math and other subjects, which is seemingly counterintuitive in a prima facie manner. If true, however, our many ESL students and Hispanic students absolutely need additional tutoring to improve academically overall and obtain a well-rounded education. Approximately 40% of SCUSD students are Hispanic, many of whom are English-as-a-second-language students, who could substantially benefit from increased after-school tutoring.
Collaboration and cultivation with Sacramento City Teachers Association and resources for teachers: My perception of teachers and the SCTA for my entire life was always a positive one. My K-12 teachers at SCUSD made a profound difference in my life, and I know the SCTA was involved with most teachers to try and look out for those teachers and the profession as a whole. I am for great teachers, who we entrust with our kids, and accordingly good pay for teachers.
I think at this juncture we need a school board representative in Area 4 that can work with diverse professionals at the SCTA and meet them where they are at. Everyone needs to be heard and understood.
I was a former director of legislation for a statewide nonprofit and was able to meet with legislators in the Assembly and Senate to speak to them about the importance of the environment and jobs. This is to say I have worked well and I will work well and professionally with SCTA. I hope to turn the leaf of the past, and amicably and diligently collaborate as very best as possible with SCTA, understanding the issues that are important to them and balancing that with what is best for our students. I will represent a much-needed change so that administration and SCTA can continue to work towards a better relationship.
Our students depend on us working together, and my approach will be one of good faith with SCTA. I understand that at present there was some agreement with SCTA and SCUSD regarding pay negotiations, and would like to be onboard to pick up off the positive points regarding this going into the future.
What differentiates you from your opponent?
I would say my experience as a small business owner of 10-plus years, combined with the civic experiences of being appointed by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to the county Community Planning Advisory Councils and being appointed by the Sacramento City Unified School District Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee has helped me stand out in that I know what it takes to be in a seat to make critical decisions for the community in a holistic and prudent fashion.
I have also not taken large sums of money from the special interests. Special interests are pouring in large sums of money into this election and that makes it impossible for a common community member to become elected and act independently and objectively on the board. School board seats are nonpartisan and should be determined by the community and merit of the candidate, and not the special interests.
Why should Blacks vote for you instead of your opponent?
Black voters should pick me because I am solutions oriented, and understand many of the issues that are of significance to them. If elected, I will represent many Black and brown peoples here in our community.
I grew up in the community and my kid attends school in the district. So many of the same problems still remain unsolved year after year, decade after decade, such as achievement gaps in math and reading. I am the true change agent and I will get to work on day one fixing special education and improving reading and writing and math for our kids.